Caitlin Ledoux (1), Lauren Minkel (15), head coach Brian Gimmillaro and Janisa Johnson (10), from left react after the 49ers took a 7-4 lead over the Rebels in the third set. Jenna Skarzenski / Daily 49er

This one is blurry, but all of their expressions are amazing. I just wish it was sharper.

I found this recipe from the food blog, Spoonful of Sugar and the photos looked so good that I had to try them for myself. Now, I’ve never really been a big chocolate fan, but lately I’ve been really craving it so I gave it a try.

These cookies are cakey with a great cocoa flavor and the frosting makes it just sweet enough. The sprinkles were my touch since I’m pretty much obsessed with them and prefer them over my ice cream, on top of my cookies and within my cake (funfetti!).

*I halved this recipe and it made enough for one person… and for sharing.. If you want to.

Mix cooled butter and sugar together to a gel-like consistency. Add the milks and eggs and mix until combined. Then add half of the flour and the rest of the dry ingredients and mix into the batter. Then mix in the rest of the flour.

Refrigerate for an hour or more. I just stuck it in the freezer for 20 or so minutes.

Roll into balls and bake for 10 – 12 minutes.

The Icing

3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Stir the 3 ingredients together. It should be thick, but still fluid enough to coat the cookies and dry as a stiff shell.

On Monday, July 26, protesters held signs over the 101 freeway overpasses in downtown Los Angeles to protest the controversial Arizona SB1070 law. The group held the banners in the morning and afternoon rush hours as cars passing honked in support. This undoubtedly added more strain to the typical LA rush hour traffic. The law is set to go into effect this Thursday.

Jenna Skarzenski / Canyon News

The next day, Tuesday, the 27th, a small group gathered in front of the downtown Edward R. Roybal federal building to also protest the Arizona SB1070 law. This group consisted of SCIC, Freedom Socialist Party members and others who made speeches to the press about the law and their beliefs.

This summer, I’ve been working at The Daily (or I guess Weekly, since we only publish weekly in summer) 49er based in my college, CSULB, and also at Canyon News in Beverly Hills as an intern. Needless to say, I’ve been taking pictures of some really random stuff. For everyone’s sake I left out all the boring photos.

CSULB campus cats are cared for by a student organization known as Beach Cats. Some volunteers even pay out of pocket to keep the cats tagged and healthy. / Taken June 29, 2010 at the Long Beach Animal Shelter / Jenna Skarzenski / Daily 49er

Taken July 21, 2010 at CSULB student union. The CSULB cheer squad headed by Eric Anderson teaches high school cheerleaders in their summer camp program to help raise money for the CSULB cheer team. Brittane Johnson instructs a cheerleader from Godinez High School at the week-long summer camp. Jenna Skarzenski / Daily 49er

CSULB cheerleaders teach high schoolers from Paramount HS a new cheer dance in front of the Student Union of CSULB.

A pink closure notice hangs in the window of the Westwood Library. The library, like all other LA libraries, will now be closed Mondays and have reduced hours as an attempt to save money by the LA government. Jenna Skarzenski / Canyon News

**Wow, I’m REALLY late with this. I kinda failed in the whole ‘posting in a timely manner’ department**

CSULB CAMPUS / LONG BEACH, CA

On June 12th and 13th, the Special Olympics was held on the CSULB campus and I was there to cover it for the Daily 49er.

Before this year’s 2010 Special Olympics, I had never been to one. I had consequently, never really understood this program until I went this year and saw for myself how wonderful it is for everyone involved. The whole event has such a united spirit that even when I was surrounded by strangers, I felt a lot of love. I don’t believe I’ve ever been anywhere, where you could literally feel such genuine affection and goodwill.

These are my favorites.

A participant carries a paper Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics.

^ This one is SO CUTE. The kid just makes me smile.

Participants cross the finish line in the Women's 50 meter dash.

^ The guy standing in the runner’s lane was a part of volunteers who all stood behind the finish line to greet and stop the runners. Some of their interaction together was really sweet, like the moment I caught below.

A runner greets one of the volunteers who cheered and greeted him at the finish line.

Two girls who competed in the 50 meter run stand on the platform to receive their Gold and Silver Olympic medals.

Runners of the 50 meter dash stand on the podium to receive their medals.

The happiness of the competitors and volunteers was so infectious that I was smiling the rest of the day. After I left, I whole-heartedly knew why they created this event; It’s to put a smile on all of those kids’ faces and when they smile, we smile because it’s just so damn cute.

Ehhh so I kind of hate this video for very anal retentive reasons. I can’t help but watch it and see everything I don’t like and need to fix.

I made this video for my Photojournalism final this semester. I’m not happy with it yet, there’s things I want to improve, but I can’t change any of it until next semester. I really want some editing software like Final Cut, but it’s disgustingly expensive to legitimately buy it.

In the video, I explore what art means to people and why so many people visit museums all over the world. The audio of that one commentator is really polluted with the outdoor garden sounds so that’s why it’s so hard to hear. Sorry about that. It really bugs me, but I’ll fix it eventually.

Regardless of my doubts, I FINISHED! So, I’m very proud of that fact right now. :]